Hundreds shot dead in Ethiopia protests

From ADANE BIKILA in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
ADDIS ABABA, (CAJ News) – RIGHTS groups have demanded investigations into the killings of hundreds of protestors, including children, by Ethiopian security forces.

It has emerged the armed forces have killed more than 400 protesters and others, and arrested tens of thousands more during widespread protests in the Oromia region since November 2015.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) found that security forces used live ammunition for crowd control repeatedly, killing one or more protesters at many of the hundreds of protests over several months.

HRW and other organizations have identified more than 300 of those killed by name and, in some cases, with photos.

“Ethiopian security forces have fired on and killed hundreds of students, farmers, and other peaceful protesters with blatant disregard for human life,” said Leslie Lefkow, deputy Africa director at HRW.

“The government should immediately free those wrongfully detained, support a credible, independent investigation, and hold security force members accountable for abuses.”

The November protests were triggered by concerns about the government’s proposed expansion of the capital’s municipal boundary through the Addis Ababa Integrated Development Master Plan.

Protesters feared that the Master Plan would displace Oromo farmers, as has increasingly occurred over the past decade, resulting in a negative impact on farm communities while benefiting the elite.

As protests continued into December, the government deployed military forces for crowd-control throughout Oromia.

Security forces repeatedly fired live ammunition into crowds with little or no warning or use of non-lethal crowd-control measures. Many of those killed have been students.

The federal police and military have arrested thousands of students, teachers, musicians, opposition politicians, health worker, and people who provided assistance or shelter to fleeing students.

While many detainees have been released, an unknown number remain in detention without charge and without access to legal counsel or family members. – CAJ News